How PEP works

Deliver the project in four simple steps - we provide all the resources and support you need!

Step 1: School staff complete a series of online training videos.

• Your school will have their own login to the project’s online platform.
• Any member of school staff who wishes to be involved in the project will be able to complete the staff project training via online videos, alongside a detailed guide.
• Staff training is split into multiple videos, and can be watched at your own pace.
• Training will take no longer than 2 hours in total.
• The MHF team will be on hand, via email or phone, to answer any questions that may crop up during training.

Step 2: The trained school staff select and train older pupils, known as Peer Educators, using our detailed training plan.

• A detailed Peer Educator training plan is provided to support you in planning and delivering the training.
• Peer Educators are pupils aged 14 and above (typically Year 10 and above in England and Wales, S4 and above in Scotland, and Year 11 and above in Northern Ireland).
• The number of Peer Educators needed will depend on your Peer Learner year group size. We recommend a minimum of 10% e.g. 20 Peer Educators for 200 Peer Learners.
• The Peer Educator training takes a minimum of 8 hours, however, is structured to be flexible to your timetable.
• The MHF team will be on hand, via email or phone, to answer any questions that may crop up as you plan and run your Peer Educator training.

Step 3: Older pupils deliver the five lessons to younger pupils, known as Peer Learners, using our detailed lesson plans.

• Each school can set up Peer Educator access to the online project platform.
• Peer Educators will be provided with a detailed lesson plan and prepared PowerPoint slides for each lesson.
• Lessons are based on a 50-minute lessons, but can be lengthened or shortened depending on your timetable.
• Peer Learners are pupils aged 11-13 (typically Year 7/8 in England and Wales, S1 in Scotland or Year 8/9 in Northern Ireland).
• We recommend lessons are delivered weekly or fortnightly, however lessons have been delivered in other ways.
• The MHF team will be on hand, via email or phone, to answer any questions that may crop up as you plan for and deliver the lessons.

Step 4: The project can form part of a whole-school approach to mental health. We provide additional resources to continue the conversation across the school.

• Staff and pupils will have co-production opportunities for developing new resources and updating existing resources for the PEP and MHF’s wider school work.
• Peer Educators will have an opportunity to apply for work experience placements with the Mental Health Foundation.
• Schools can use our School Packs on additional topics to support further mental health discussions.

At any stage you can email or book in a call with the MHF Project Team to discuss any questions you might have, and how the project can be tailored to your school.

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